Section 179D (EPAct)

If your business implemented significant energy efficiency upgrades and placed them in service between January 1, 2006 and December 31, 2017, you may qualify for the EPAct deduction.

Along with our certification report, the only additional piece of paper necessary to file is a simple IRS Form 3115 (Change in Accounting Method). Working with your accounting team, we are able to provide this compliance reporting for your current year tax return.

If you haven’t explored the possibility of energy efficiency deductions for your facility, please contact us today. There are many other incentives available to fund such an upgrade.

IRC Section 179D, enacted by Section 1331 of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 (EPAct 2005), allows taxpayers to accelerate depreciation on the cost of qualified energy efficient commercial building property placed-in-service after December 31, 2005. This incentive was most recently extended by the Protecting Americans from Tax Hikes (PATH) Act of 2015, to include improvements placed-in-service before January 1, 2018.

Eligibility

Eligible improvements must reduce total annual energy costs by a specific amount compared to a Reference Building under ASHRAE Standard 90.1-2001. The project must be certified by a properly licensed engineer or contractor in the jurisdiction in which the building is located.

Benefits

A first year tax deduction of up to $1.80 per square foot is available for the cost of energy efficient property, including design and installation. This is achieved by qualifying for a deduction of up to $0.60 per square foot in three separate categories; interior lighting, HVAC and building envelope. The deduction is based on total building square footage, but cannot exceed the cost of the energy efficient improvements.

Architects & Engineers

When non-taxpaying entities (schools, municipalities and governments) implement qualified improvements the deduction may be claimed by the primary designer.

Getting Started

Maximizing the 179D deduction is all about design. Not all energy efficient improvements qualify; therefore it is important to get Bedford involved early. Additionally, there may be other incentives or strategies available that can further enhance benefits for the same project, resulting in a greater ROI and reduced payback period.

Bedford’s team of subject matter experts is ready to assist you. Contact us today to learn more about the tremendous benefits available for energy efficient improvements and to request a complimentary feasibility analysis.

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